Shaun Marcum: There is still a chance that Marcum, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, could pitch with the Blue Jays in September. Before getting injured last year, Marcum was putting up good numbers, 9-7 with a 3.39 ERA, fully supported by solid skills, 7.3 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and a 3.0 BB/9. Even if he does pitch, he clearly will not be 100%, but he may get 4 or 5 starts in September, which could make him an asset in AL-only leagues.
Kyle Farnsworth: Farnsworth, who is rehabbing a groin injury, should be back in the Royals pen sometime next week. Although he has excellent skills, 9.6 K/9 and a 2.3 BB/9, he clearly lacks the guile to close games, 26 blown saves in 53 career chances. The Royals seem to be aware of this as they have only given him one save chance this year, which he blew. If left out of those pressure situations, Farnsworth can be an asset in AL-only leagues.
Jason Grilli: Grilli, who has been on the DL with elbow inflammation, should be back on Monday. Since joining the Rangers on June 9th, he has been unhittable, 1.53 ERA in 17.2 innings. However his skills, 6.6 K/9, 3.6 BB/, and a 48% FB%, do not support those kind of numbers. If his good fortune begins to evaporate, his poor control and high FB% could be a deadly combination in his homer-happy home stadium.
Ian Kinsler: Kinsler, who has been on the DL with a hamstring problem, could be back as early as today. The huge increase in the amount of fly balls that hits, 2008/2009 FB%’s of 44%/55%, is making a lot of the balls that fell for doubles last year, 2008/2009 AB of 518/396 and doubles of 41/20, clear the fences this year, HR’s of 18/23. That is exactly the kind of growth that you want to see in a power hitter as he is entering his prime years. Unfortunately since fly balls have the least chance of falling for hits, it is also negatively affecting his batting average, .319/.242. On the positive side, his .173 BHIP% gives him some big time batting average upside the rest of the way.
Carlos Silva: Silva, who has been out since May 6th with a shoulder injury, could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week, which would put on track for about 4 to 5 starts for the Mariners in September. However, given his performance over the last couple of years, 4-15 with 6.46 ERA in 2008 and 1-3 with an 8.48 ERA this year, and his skill set, 2008/2009 K/9’s of 4.1/3.1, BB9’s of 1.9/2.8, and GB%’s of 44%/46%, he offers no fantasy help.
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